Farming Today: A Blog

Rainwater tanks are useful for the storage and supply of water in both residential and commercial premises. However, most people mistakenly think that harvesting rainwater only requires having a tank in place.

Rainwater tanks are the most important part of the system, but other components are also necessary to complete your setup. For example, you need to consider where to install your tank, how water will be collected and how cleansing of the supply will be carried out before such water is used in the home or business.

To help you get started, here are 4 important factors to consider when installing a rainwater tank.

1.    Material

Perhaps one of the most important decisions you'll have to make is choosing a tank material. Each type of material comes with its own benefits and applications. For example, plastic tanks are light, easy to move around and can hold large amounts of water. However, they're also less durable when compared to materials such as aluminium. And while aluminium is durable and resistant to many exterior elements, it also comes at a higher cost and with capacity limitations. Before choosing a material, ask yourself what your ultimate goals are.

Those looking to store as much water as possible for simple domestic use may find plastic or concrete as good options. In fact, concrete tanks can be cast to your exact specifications and installed underneath the surface to enhance durability.  

2.    Location (catchment area)

Another important factor to consider is how rainwater will be collected within your premises. While some people may simply rely on direct raindrops falling inside a catchment container, a more effective technique is to design a water catchment area. This area will be where rainwater accumulates over time for collection.

Your catchment area may be an open field with an underground layer where water can seep into, or even a roof that contains gutters to redirect rainwater. The roof option may be suitable for areas that experience heavy annual rainfall, with the underground option working better in dry areas.

3.    Pump

Once the water has been collected and stored in your tank, you need a mechanism of distributing it around the premises. A pump is essential for this purpose as it provides the force necessary to channel rainwater to its appropriate destination. The type and size of pump you choose should depend on the size of your tank, desired water pressure and final use of the harvested supply.

4.    Gutters

Gutters are another useful component of any rainwater system. If you're looking to harvest water from direct rainfall, consider installing or renovating your gutter system. Gutters channel rainwater from your roof and into a dedicated reservoir that ultimately fills up your tank.